On a dark night, there was a woman living alone in a two-story detached house. She has a long orange hair with fox ears on her head and thick fluffy tail on her back. Her name is lumina. That's me. A fox girl who decided to find the truth and revenge.
When I was a high schooler, my father died by a disease. He was a hot-tempered man who hated humans. He always cared about families and his tribe, and he always got mad when he heard that his family had human friends. He was prevented from getting close at all costs. I started to hate him after that, but I didn't want him to die.
Now I'm living together with my mother and sister at the townhouse, which is near downtown.
My mother was the opposite of my father. She believed there's a kind human. My mom has always told me, 'Every human is not evil.' since I was a kid. Unlike my father, she was happy when I had my first human friend.
And my sister Amelia, who always has a lot of affection for me. Since I was a kid, I wanted to have my sister's responsible and mature appearance. She always cares about me and often overprotects me. And when I became a middle schooler, Amelia's overprotectiveness made me feel like I have two mothers in my house. I wish she stop worrying about me.
After I graduated from college, I got used to my work as a businesswoman. It took a few months to get used to company work. Some people compliment me and say that I am sincere or an indispensable person in the company. But some people weren't. They gossip about me, saying they want me to stop acting nice or thinking that I easily joined the company through my personal connection. Well, I am a fox girl who has great physical ability and magic skills, but that doesn't mean I joined the company in an unfair way.
I don't care what gossip they talk about me. No matter what those idiots say a hundred times of gossip about me, I just have to act as I am.
Later that night, I entered the elevator and called my mom. I was going to have dinner with Mom and Amelia.
"Hey Lumina, did you get off work by any chance?"
I smiled kindly as I exited the office and headed towards the first basement level.
"Yeah, I just got off a few minutes ago. I'm on my way to meet you and Amelia for dinner right now. Is everything ready?"
"I'll be late for a few minutes, so if you meet your sister, tell her to go to the restaurant and order first."
I nodded and got into my car, but I sensed something was going on by listening to her voice. So I spoke with a worried tone.
"You sure you'll be okay? We'll wait at the entrance."
"You don't need to. Everything is fine. I'll see you at the restaurant."
I leaned against the driver's seat while holding the cell phone close to my ear, concern written on my face. I furrowed my brow. I hoped everything was fine for real.
Two days ago I saw my mom and aunt matilda's argument.
'Matilda, there's no way I would accept it. And that evil won't kill me that easily.'
'If you keep refusing it, that Bearist high school teacher will kill you. I'm scared to lose you.'
Hearing that makes me worry about her. But I knew my mom is a strong fox, so I tried to think that nothing would happen.
"Okay... if you say so. Just don't take too long. Amelia and I will be waiting for you."
"I won't sweetheart."
I hung up the phone and headed to the restaurant.
When I arrived at the restaurant, Amelia was standing near the entrance.
"Lumina!"
I spotted Amelia and smiled brightly.
"Sorry I'm a bit late. Mom's running a little behind, but she said we can go ahead and order."
I entered the restaurant with Amelia and took a seat. I was slightly distracted, frequently looking to the door, waiting for her mother's arrival. Amelia recommended it.
"How about we order some beer?"
"I have work tomorrow too."
"Come on... Just one drink."
I sighed, hesitating for a moment before reluctantly agreeing.
"Alright, one drink wouldn't hurt."
Amelia gives a small smile and motions for the waiter to come over.
"I knew you would say that."
I chuckled softly and shook my head, amused by Amelia's persistence. Amelia called an employee and order a beer. Just then, I glance towards the entrance again, hoping to see my mother's familiar figure. I sigh softly, There's still no sign of my mother.
"I hope mom's alright... It's really unlike her to be this late without letting us know."
"I'm sure it's nothing."
I tried not to worry about her and hoped nothing would happen to mom. The employee places the two glasses of beer on the table.
"Now you told me 'one drink wouldn't hurt' right, Lumina?"
I offer a small smile and nod.
"Yeah... Let's enjoy this drink while we wait."
"How about a toast?"
I smiled faintly and raised my glass.
"Sure, why not? What should we toast for?"
"For Lumina to meet the man she loves."
I blushed slightly, a hint of embarrassment crossing her face.
"Oh, come on, Amelia. You always bring this up. Can't we just toast to something simpler like... good health?"
"Then we'll toast for Lumina's child in the future."
My eyes widened, a look of surprise and slight embarrassment on Amelia's face. I laugh softly and shake my head.
"Oh, now you're just embarrassing me. But fine, let's toast to that. For my future child, whomever they may be."
I knew that if I said no, she would offer another blushing toast, so I decided to do it this time. I raise my glass with a slight blush. We took a sip of beer and then chatted for a while.
40 minutes later, Mom still haven't come to the restaurant. Amelia started to worry and called her.
"That's weird. She's not answering the phone and didn't respond to my text message."
My anxiety heightened as Amelia dialed Mother's number multiple times with no answer.
"This is unusual... She always answers her phone... I'm starting to get really worried now."
Amelia's expression got serious.
"I'm having a bad feeling about this."
Amelia's optimistic expression disappeared and changed seriously. I agree with her. My worried expression mirroring her feelings. She glanced back towards the entrance one more time before standing up abruptly.
"I'm going to go look for her. You come with me."
I nodded and quickly paid the bill and left with Amelia. We took my car and headed to our house. The door wasn't unlocked. I slowly opened the door and saw the living room was filled with mess.
"What the..."
I noticed that something had happened. Amelia also was surprised by looking at the huge mess in the living room.
"Could it be the thief?"
"I think so... But where's Mom?"
I headed to the kitchen with Amelia and stunned.
"Oh no."
We met with a horrifying sight in the kitchen. Mom was dead with a full of stab wounds near the fridge. She had lost a lot of blood. My eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "Mom!"
I took a few steps towards mom's body, my legs starting to feel weak. Tears fell down in my eyes.
"Mom... Mom! Please open your eyes!"
Amelia placed a hand on my trembling shoulder. She looked back and forth between their mother's body and me. Her own eyes are brimming with tears.
"Lumina...! We need to call the police..."
"Yeah. You're right."
I slowly pulled my phone out of my pocket. My hands were slightly shaking as I dialed the emergency number 911.
After I called the police, she pulled me into a tight embrace. My tears streamed down her own cheeks.
"Shhh... It's okay. We'll get through this."
Police came into our house and investigated the scene.
After a few hours of investigation, all they found was the culprit disguised as the work of a robber. I told them about yesterday's conversation between Mom and Aunt Matilda. So I thought the police would find a culprit.
But a few days later, we heard that the police didn't find any suspect among the Bearist High School. We also heard that Aunt Matilda was murdered yesterday. The police thought my mom and aunt was murdered by the same person.
Police investigated amelia and me as suspect. But we were excluded from the list of suspects after they found we had alibi. The police find a clue for a month. However, they couldn't find any suspect or clue.
I was sitting at the kitchen table. I clenched my fists, frustration mixing with the sadness in my voice.
"I can't believe they didn't find anything... I don't understand why they couldn't find any suspect..."
Amelia's face was filled with gloomy expression. She slowly sat down on the couch, feeling drained both physically and emotionally.
"Lumina... I'm sure they'll find the culprit."
Amelia seemed to force herself to stay strong for me. I doubted those words and pretended to agree with her.
"You're right. I'm sure they'll find something."
I don't think the police will solve this case. I was sure that killer must be one of the Bearist High School teachers. If someone asks does that the woman's intuition make me think that way, It's not wrong. But I had a hunch that I could find something that the police didn't.
My burning anger started to form within my heart. I couldn't just sit and do nothing. The thought of avenging the killer every moment, I made a decision.
'I don't believe the police investigation. I'm going to find who did this to Mom and aunt. And they're going to pay for what they did. I won't stop until I find the truth.'
The next day, I decided to quit the job. Amelia asked me why, So I told her.
'I can't focus on my work after what happened to them.'
It wasn't a lie. I wouldn't be able to concentrate at working until I find the truth. I didn't tell Amelia about my revenge. I decided to live alone and moved to another house to make sure Amelia wouldn't notice my revenge. She didn't want me to move away. But she decided to respect my choice. I feel sorry for her.
'I'm sorry, Amelia. I wish I could tell you. But I know you'll stop me if I tell the truth.'